Reproductive Toxicity of Gemcitabine on Breeding and Fertility in Male Albino Rats

Although chemotherapy for malignancies is highly effective, their related gonadotoxic side effects may severely impair fertility and cause gonadal toxicity in male patients.The aim of the present work was to investigate influence of Gemcitabine toxicity on reproductive system of albino male rats (breeding and fertility tests). Animal experimental study conducted in zoology department, College of science, King Saud University during period from June to October 2014 using albino rats (Rattusnorvegicus) (Wistar strain). Males were divided into four different groups (control" 0 mg/kg",7 mg/kg,14 mg/kg, and 21 mg/kg).Male fertility index, female fertility index, pregnancy index, number of pregnancies per pregnancy and total number of births decreased in all groups treated. Mean number of implantation sites per female and the implantation index also decreased significantly (p <= 0.05) and the rate of paradise loss before implantation increased at both doses 14 and 21 mg / kg, while the rate of loss of fetuses after implantation also increased. The histological examination in both the testis and the epididymis showed that they were significantly affected at the level of the three doses, and the effects ranged between moderate and severe. Histological examination of testis segments at a dose of 7 mg / kg showed atrophy of spermatogenic epithelial degeneration in many seminal tubules in most animals. Fluid accumulation was observed in some cases and sperm retention. It is concluded that the drug can be considered highly toxic to the male reproductive system, and despite the severity of the observed effects, it has been recovered to a large extent.